Lismore have finally made it to the AIB All-Ireland intermediate club camogie final after a couple of near-misses, after chiselling out a hard-earned 0-11 to 2-3 win over Liatroim Fontenoys writes Daragh Ó Conchúir.
Celebrations were raucous, and understandably so, given that they had lost at the penultimate stages of the competition on a couple of occasions in recent seasons, to Ardrahan and subsequent champions, Eoghan Rua.
Ardrahan will play in the senior final this time around, while Eoghan Rua only just failed to end Milford’s reign as senior champions last week, so the Waterford girls were encountering opposition of the very highest level.
Their semi-final with Liatroim Fontenoys fell foul of the weather last weekend but there were no problems in Crettyard this time around, although Lismore were once again tested severely once more.
The wind was a significant factor and five points from Aoife Hannon gave Lismore a 0-7 to 0-2 interval lead, with Amy McAleenan responsible for the Down outfit’s two scores.
It was questionable whether that was a sufficient advantage given the conditions and when McAleenan scored a goal and a point pretty soon after the restart, it was looking good for Fontenoys.
The Lismore riposte was telling though, and with captain Shona Curran driving them on, they scored the next four points. Aoife Hannon brought her tally to seven with two and with Nicola Morrissey and Catriona McGlone also raising white flags, the margin was five. That purple patch put a complete halt to the Fontenoys’ momentum and secured Lismore’s berth in the All-Ireland final.
There was a late scare as the gritty Ulster girls pounced for a goal at the very death but Lismore had done enough and will play Ballyhale Shamrocks in the decider.
